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How to celebrate the carnival in Germany? Carnivals in Germany

Every year in the last days of February and early March, Germany is literally changing before our very eyes. The eve of the Great Lent in Germany marks the long-awaited holiday - carnival. Different regions of Germany call this action in different ways: Fasching, Fastnacht, Karneval. Carnivals are not held throughout Germany, but only in its Catholic regions. This holiday is most popular on the banks of the Rhine river. Well-known are the festivities in Düsseldorf, Mainz and the Carnival in Cologne. Germany attracts in this period a lot of people who really crave fun. All his colors, interesting carnival costumes, songs, merry dances and processions amaze with their brightness, liveliness and mood.

A bit of history

The first to start carnival, were the ancient Romans, they organized majestic festivals to the glory of Dionysus and Saturn. Carnival in Germany, its most ancient history dates back to the times of the Germans, who celebrated the winter solstice, paying tribute to the Gods and expelling the evil spirits. Even the prohibitions imposed by the Catholic Church could not stop the Germans in their quest for fun and festivities. Already in the 18th century carnivals in Germany spread almost everywhere and gradually became official. Modern carnivals give the local residents and tourists a unique atmosphere of the holiday, recalling the traditions and unique culture of the peoples of the country. Carnival in Germany is so old an tradition that it is sometimes called the 5th time of the year. The country begins to prepare for the carnival, beginning in November. The official start of the festivities is announced in advance - November 11, at 11 hours and 11 minutes, this time is considered magical.

"Babyn Carnival"

Carnival in February in Germany begins on Thursday. It is noteworthy that this holiday is celebrated only by women. "Babyn Carnival" opens at 11:11. This means that the main carnival began in Germany. In German, its name sounds like Weiberfastnacht, it wears one more name - "Silly Thursday", which is not accidental. The thing is that the number 11 (the time of the beginning of the carnival) during the Middle Ages was considered to be stupid, because it was something in between the number of commandments (10) and the number of disciples of Jesus (12). On this festive day for women, they, according to the beliefs, have incredible power. To emphasize their superiority over men, women in "Silly Thursday" dress up in suits of all evil spirits. Their main goal is to catch as many men as possible and cut off their ties, which are considered a symbol of male power.

"Fatigue Friday"

Do not even think about being bored! Carnival in Germany is just beginning! Following "Silly Thursday" a wave of colors and fun to Germany is approaching the next holiday - "Fatigue Friday" (rußiger Freitag). Carnival Friday is not without reason called "soot", it's all a matter of the established custom to smear soot of the face of people passing by.

"Fat Saturday" and "Tulip Sunday"

Then the people meet "Fat Saturday" (Schmalziger Samstag). On this day, products containing too much fat are traditionally thrown out of the refrigerator. For the Sabbath holiday follows "Tulip Sunday", which in the main mass is characterized by various children's processions.

"Pink Monday"

This holiday is usually considered the apogee of the whole carnival. Just note that its name has nothing to do with colors, "rasen" means "to race" or "to sweep" in German. It is on this day that the most noisy and bright carnival processions begin. The Germans themselves assert that everything is possible on this day, therefore, when going out into the street, one should be prepared literally for everything. The holiday amazes with its incredible scale. Wherever you look, people everywhere are walking around in completely unimaginable costumes, so bright and unusual that it's impossible to tear off their enthusiastic looks.

In most cases, costumes for the carnival are prepared with their own hands, but such a breadth of imagination, like the locals, would envy any, even the most eccentric designer. Even the cars on this day are decorated in a special way, fairy-tale creatures travel around their roofs, everyone screams, laughs, chants singing in chorus and shouting greetings. Candy and colored confetti flock to the enthusiastic crowd from different directions. Everything around is so bright and changes so quickly that it feels like you are looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. Impressions are really unforgettable, the whole city is having fun, spinning and dancing lightly along the streets. In some cities this day is even considered a day off, albeit unofficial.

Tuesday "before the fast"

Lent is approaching, and hence the so-called Tuesday "before the fast," or Faschingdienstag. On this day, everywhere you can buy and enjoy the taste of festive donuts with sweet jam stuffing, which the Germans call "Berliners", if you are lucky, you will get a "lucky donut", stuffed with mustard or containing a coin inside. Buy a happy donut is considered a good omen. On this festive day it is customary to drink a special strong beer and eat up to the heap, which is not surprising, because this is the last opportunity to eat everything that the stomach requires - ahead of Lent.

End of the Carnival

Bright colors and crowds of laughing people slowly dissipate, the life of the country becomes more familiar. Carnival in Germany has come to an end, people are putting on fancy dresses and masks until next year and a new carnival. "Ash Wednesday", or Aschermittwoch, marks the end of carnival fun and the beginning of fasting, which lasts for 40 days, after which the people celebrate Shrovetide.

Carnival in Germany. Photos and impressions

If you one day have a lucky chance to visit Germany during the carnival, do not miss it. One of the brightest, colorful and fun holidays in the world is the carnival in Germany. The photos shown in the article clearly demonstrate this. Only after visiting this beautiful country and seeing carnival processions with your own eyes, so to speak, from within, you can really feel the whole atmosphere and mood of the holiday. It is impossible to fully convey with the help of words all the enthusiasm and amazement experienced by a person in the heart of an excited crowd, when joyous music, congratulations are heard everywhere, and the head literally turns from colors and a whole variety of costumes. Come, participate in the carnival in person and tell your friends about how to celebrate in Germany carnival. This is a truly unforgettable sight, the impressions of which will forever remain with you.

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